Ovation 1769-ADII Al DiMeola Signature Hardshell Case – Used Excellent
Al DiMeola is one of the most technically accomplished and musically wide-ranging guitarists of the last fifty years — a player whose work spans jazz fusion, flamenco, Mediterranean folk, and beyond, and whose right-hand speed and precision have set a standard that very few players have ever approached. His partnership with Ovation produced one of the more distinctive signature instruments in the acoustic-electric world, and the 1769-ADII is the fullest expression of that collaboration. The instrument is built around Ovation's deep bowl composite body — the rounded back born from aerospace engineering at Kaman Corporation in the mid-1960s, designed to function like an orchestra shell and project sound with a clarity and volume that conventional flat-back acoustics simply cannot match. The deep bowl configuration in particular generates maximum low-end output and unamplified volume while keeping the overall weight remarkably light and the instrument comfortable to play for long stretches. The AAA-grade solid Sitka spruce top is A-braced and represents the top five percent of Ovation's graded stock — flexible, consistent, and chosen for resonance. Over three hundred individual pieces of abalone shell are hand-inlaid into the oak leaf rosette, making it one of the more labor-intensive cosmetic details on any production acoustic guitar. The five-piece mahogany and maple neck has a low-profile Soft V shape that DiMeola himself helped develop, topped with an ebony fingerboard and carved ebony bridge with abalone diamond position inlays. The OP-PRO preamp — designed in collaboration with DiMeola — offers both quarter-inch and XLR outputs and a special plus-four dB boost switch, making this instrument as capable on a festival stage as it is in a living room. Handcrafted in Ovation's New Hartford, Connecticut workshop.
This example is in superb shape. The neck is smooth and clear, the bowl is pristine, and the top looks great with only minimal superficial finish marks. Minimal fret wear. Plays and sounds fantastic. Comes with the original Ovation hardshell case.
- Make: Ovation
- Model: 1769-ADII Al DiMeola Signature
- Series: Custom Legend
- Country of origin: USA (New Hartford, CT)
- Body: Deep bowl composite roundback, cutaway
- Top: AAA solid Sitka spruce, A-bracing
- Finish: Black gloss
- Rosette: Hand-inlaid abalone oak leaf pattern
- Neck: 5-piece mahogany and maple, set-in, Soft V profile
- Fingerboard: Ebony, abalone diamond inlays
- Bridge: Carved ebony
- Scale length: 25.25"
- Frets: 22
- Tuners: Die-cast 24K gold with ebony buttons
- Electronics: Ovation OP-PRO preamp, 1/4" and XLR outputs, plus-4 dB boost switch
- Hardware: Gold
- Modifications: None
- Condition: Used Very Good – minimal fret wear, minimal superficial finish marks on top, neck and bowl pristine
- Includes: Original Ovation hardshell case
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
